Plant Database
Panama Berry
Muntingia calabura
The Panama Berry is a phenomenally fast-growing and generous tree, beloved in tropical gardens for its non-stop production of sweet, cherry-sized fruits and its carefree nature. This broad-canopied evergreen is constantly adorned with small, white flowers that quickly turn into an abundance of bright red berries with a unique, candy-like sweetness reminiscent of cotton candy or fig. Incredibly resilient in heat and poor soil, it provides quick shade, a continuous treat for both people and wildlife, and a charming, informal look for any low-maintenance landscape.
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Famous for its incessant, year-round production of sweet, small red berries in warm climates.
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Extremely fast-growing, often reaching over 10 feet in just two years, providing quick shade.
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Berries have a distinctively sweet, almost candy-like flavor (often compared to cotton candy or very sweet figs) with a soft, juicy texture full of tiny, edible seeds.
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A pioneer species that is highly adaptable to poor soils, heat, and drought once established.
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Self-pollinating and begins fruiting at a very young age.
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The broad, spreading canopy makes it an excellent, fast shade tree; flowers attract pollinators, and fruit attracts birds.
Flavor Profile:
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Flavor: Very sweet, mild, and aromatic with subtle tropical notes, lacking any tartness.
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Texture: Very soft, juicy, and pulpy with numerous tiny, crunchy seeds that are eaten along with the flesh.
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Best Uses: Primarily a fresh snack eaten straight from the tree. Also excellent for making jams, jellies, syrups, or fermenting into wine. Must be used quickly after picking as it is highly perishable.